By Hannah Parry
Associate News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
SpaceX has confirmed it has lost its Starship during the seventh test flight today.
Moments after Starbase's giant metal tower 'Mechazilla' successfully caught the Super Heavy booster, a SpaceX spokesperson said they'd lost communication with the Starship.
"At this point, we are assuming that the ship has been lost," spokesperson Dan Huo said. "But there's a lot of things you're going to learn as all those systems are now interacting with each other for the first time."
Today's launch featured "a new generation ship with significant upgrades, attempt Starship's first payload deployment test, fly multiple reentry experiments geared towards ship catch and reuse, and launch and return the Super Heavy booster," according to SpaceX.
The payload included a set of ten replica Starlink satellites.
What to know
- Standing at 397 feet tall, Starship is the world's largest and most powerful rocket, comprising two main sections: the upper "Starship" stage and the lower "Super Heavy" booster.
- The rocket system is being developed with the ambitious goal of enabling lunar and interplanetary missions, including NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon before the end of the decade.
- SpaceX has launched Starship six times since its debut flight in April 2023.
- Starship's sixth launch test, last November, abandoned an attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster, which instead splashed down in the Indian Ocean
Today's launch comes one day after SpaceX sent two lunar landers on separate missions, marking a major step in the race to commercialize the Moon.
The liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center carried landers from Japanese company ispace and U.S.-based Firefly Aerospace, both aiming to establish a business footprint on Earth's lunar neighbor. The two spacecraft shared a ride aboard a single Falcon 9 rocket, reducing costs, but diverged an hour into their journey, each on its own path for the months-long trek to the Moon.
Jeff Bezos' space company also had a successful launch in the early hours of Thursday as its New Glenn rocket lifted off at around 1 a.m. ET from Florida.
Newsweek's live blog is closed.
Jan 16, 2025 at 06:08 PM EST
SpaceX officials say they have ‘lost the ship’
SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot said that it's safe to assume that Starship is lost.
"At this point, we are assuming that the ship has been lost," he said. "But there's a lot of things you're going to learn as all those systems are now interacting with each other for the first time."
Jan 16, 2025 at 05:53 PM EST
SpaceX says it’s lost communication with the ship
SpaceX officials confirm it has lost communication with the ship.
Officials said the ship may be lost after it dropped out of communication with the base.
Jan 16, 2025 at 05:52 PM EST
WATCH: Moment ‘Mechazilla’ successfully catches the Super Heavy booster
Jan 16, 2025 at 05:45 PM EST
Starbase’s ‘Mechazilla’ successfully catches the Super Heavy booster
The crowd cheers as Starbase's 'Mechazilla' successfully catches the Super Heavy booster.
It's only the second time the Mechazilla's 'chopsticks' arms have made the catch.
The last test flight, in November, was forced to abandon the catch after launch.
Jan 16, 2025 at 05:41 PM EST
Starship passed Max Q
Starship and its Super Heavybooster have passed Max Q - the point of maximum aerodynamic pressure as it passes through the atmosphere, and a pivotal point in any launch.
Jan 16, 2025 at 05:40 PM EST
It’s go for a catch
Starbase will attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster, SpaceX confirmed.
Jan 16, 2025 at 05:38 PM EST
It’s takeoff!
SpaceX's seventh test flight of the Starship has successfully launched.
Jan 16, 2025 at 05:37 PM EST
Starship is ‘GO’ for launch
Flight controllers have announced "GO" for launch.
Jan 16, 2025 at 05:36 PM EST
T-minus two minutes to takeoff
SpaceX announces T-minus two minutes to takeoff.
Jan 16, 2025 at 05:35 PM EST
SpaceX says it’s launching a ‘new generation’ ship with ‘significant upgrades’
SpaceX has said today's test flight will launch a "new generation ship with significant upgrades."
In a post on X, the company added that the launch will also, "attempt Starship's first payload deployment test, fly multiple reentry experiments geared towards ship catch and reuse, and launch and return the Super Heavy booster."
Jan 16, 2025 at 05:30 PM EST
Will Mechazilla make the catch for Starship’s seventh test flight?
SpaceX's Starship, made up of a spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket, is designed to be reusable as the booster is built to land back in the arms of Mechazilla - the giant tower at Starbase built to catch rockets midair.
The fifth test flight of Starship saw a successful catch of the Super Heavy booster, suggesting SpaceX was one step closer to its mission of a fully reusable spacecraft for uncrewed and eventually crewed missions to Mars in the 2030s.
But during Starship's last test flight, in November, officials abandoned the attempt after launch and sent the Super Heavy to a splashdown in the ocean, stating it did not meet the criteria needed to attempt a catch.
SpaceX has explained all the criteria that must be met before an attempted booster catch, including "healthy systems on the booster and tower and a final manual command from the mission's Flight Director."
"If this command is not sent prior to the completion of the boostback burn, or if automated health checks show unacceptable conditions with Super Heavy or the tower, the booster will default to a trajectory that takes it to a landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico," the company said in a statement.
"We accept no compromises when it comes to ensuring the safety of the public and our team, and the return will only take place if conditions are right."
Today, SpaceX confirmed, "all systems and weather are looking good," ahead of the launch.
Jan 16, 2025 at 05:20 PM EST
SpaceX’s payload will considerably bigger than its sixth test flight
SpaceX said that the seventh Starship test flight will carry a payload of ten replica Starlink satellites.
It is one step closer to the goal of Starship being able to carry real satellites in the future. In this case, the replicas are expected to burn up on re-entry.
The previous test flight also carried a payload but it was a considerably smaller item; a single banana.
In a post on X, ahead of the sixth test flight, SpaceX shared a picture of the payload.
"Today's Starship flight test has a special payload onboard – a banana! This universally-accepted measurement of scale is approximately the size of one Starlink Mini," it said.
Jan 16, 2025 at 04:59 PM EST
What to expect from SpaceX’s Starship Seventh test flight
Flight Objectives
- First payload deployment test; ten Starlink satellite replicas.
- Multiple reentry experiments for ship catch and reuse.
- Super Heavy booster launch, return, and catch attempt.
Starship Upgrades
- Propulsion: 25% more propellant, new fuel feedlines, improved Raptor vacuum engine system, and advanced avionics.
- Heat Shield: Latest generation tiles with backup layer to handle reentry heating.
- Avionics: Enhanced flight computer, integrated Starlink, GNSS, and backup communications, improved navigation, and smart power distribution.
- Cameras: 30+ cameras for real-time flight data.
In-Space Testing
- Starship will deploy 10 Starlink simulators.
- Test relight of a Raptor engine in space.
Reentry & Catch Experiments
- Stress-test areas with removed tiles and alternate materials, including actively cooled metallic tiles.
- Test ship catch fittings and radar sensors for enhanced tower catch accuracy.
Super Heavy Booster+
- Reusing Raptor engine from previous test.
- Upgraded catch system for improved reliability.
- Catch Conditions: Booster only returns if systems are healthy, with final manual command for catch or soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
Jan 16, 2025 at 04:50 PM EST
SpaceX announces Starship team is ‘go for prop load’
SpaceX has announced that the Starship team is "go for prop load."
A prop load is a test that SpaceX performs on its rockets before launch; involving adding propellants.
The announcement means that preparations are well underway for launch.
Jan 16, 2025 at 04:42 PM EST
What is Mechazilla? The giant structure expected to catch Starship today
...
Mechazilla is the giant metal tower at Starbase built to catch rockets midair.
Elon Musk dubbed the tower 'Mechazilla' for its similarity to a giant metal Godzilla.
It's huge metal arms, also referred to as the 'chopsticks', are used to both catch rockets and move the boosters before takeoff.
During the fifth Starship test flight, in October, Mechazilla's chopsticks successful caught the Super Heavy booster on the first attempt.
However, during the sixth test flight, a catch was abandoned due to adverse conditions.
The booster instead splashed down in the Indian Ocean.
Jan 16, 2025 at 04:31 PM EST
What is SpaceX’s Starship?
...
SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and its Super Heavy booster—collectively called "Starship"—are designed to form a reusable launch system capable of carrying crew and cargo to destinations including Earth orbit, the moon and Mars.
Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, is designed to be fully reusable and capable of carrying up to 150 metric tons into space.
Once fully operational, Starship could transport up to 100 passengers on extended space missions, support satellite launches, enable lunar base construction and make ultra-fast travel between distant locations on Earth possible.
Jan 16, 2025 at 04:21 PM EST
SpaceX confirms all ‘looking good’ for ahead of launch
SpaceX announced on X this afternoon conditions looked good for ahead of today's launch.
"All systems and weather are looking good," SpaceX said.
In another post on X, they announced they were hoping to take off at 5.37 p.m.
Jan 16, 2025 at 04:12 PM EST
Weather forecast looks good for takeoff
Today's weather in South Texas looks favorable for takeoff today, with mostly sunny skies, highs of 64F and winds of up to 13mph, according to the National Weather Service,
Weather conditions yesterday forced SpaceX to delay the launch of the Starship, its seventh test flight, until 5 p.m. ET today.
Jan 16, 2025 at 03:51 PM EST
Will Donald Trump attend today’s Starship test flight?
...
President-elect Donald Trump flew down to Texas to attend the last test flight of the SpaceX Starship back in November.
"I'm heading to the Great State of Texas to watch the launch of the largest object ever to be elevated, not only to Space, but simply by lifting off the ground," Trump said ahead of the launch, adding that he wished Musk "good luck."
Elon Musk responded that he was "honored' to have Trump at the launch.
However, it does not appear that Trump will be joining Musk for the seventh test flight, which takes places just days before Trump's inauguration.
Jan 16, 2025 at 03:37 PM EST
What rivalry? Musk and Bezos share good natured messages amid rocket launches
Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin may be locked in a space race to the stars, but their CEOs are keeping things civil.
After Bezos posted a video of the New Glenn rocket on X ahead of the launch, Musk wished him luck, replying, "Godspeed!"
The Tesla CEO also congratulated Bezos after this morning's successful takeoff, post on X, "Well done Jeff Bezos and the Blue Origin team!"
Bezos returned the favor, wishing, "Good luck today @elonmusk and the whole SpaceX team!!" to which Musk responded, "Much appreciated!"
Musk later joked that things had become so friendly, that he and Bezos were "best friends."
"Step Brothers is the perfect meme for @JeffBezos & Me," he posted, sharing a clip of the movie, where Will Ferrell's character asks his stepbrother, "Did we just become best friends?" to which his stepbrother replies, "Yep!"
Jan 16, 2025 at 03:26 PM EST
Is Bezos’s Blue Origin catching up with Musk’s SpaceX?
This morning's successful launch of New Glenn rocket, shows that Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is catching up with Elon Musk's SpaceX.
For now, SpaceX maintains its lead in the private space race, with multiple successful test flights under its belt.
But the New Glenn rocket's capabilities suggest that it could eventually become a formidable competitor to SpaceX's Falcon 9 and even Starship in the commercial and national security sectors.
Its large payload capacity, coupled with its reusability, aligns with the growing demand for heavy-lift rockets.
However, SpaceX's established reliability, innovative design and unmatched launch cadence will be hard to surpass.
While Blue Origin is still in the testing phase with New Glenn, SpaceX is already executing complex missions, including satellite deployment and booster recovery, with remarkable consistency.
Jan 16, 2025 at 03:14 PM EST
How does New Glenn compare to Musk’s rocket?
...
The New Glenn rocket dwarfs SpaceX's Falcon 9, standing 320 feet tall compared to Falcon 9's 230 feet. It also boasts a higher payload capacity, capable of lifting up to 45 tons into space, nearly double Falcon 9's 23-ton capacity.
Like Falcon 9, New Glenn features a reusable first stage designed to land on a sea-based platform, aiming to cut launch costs and improve sustainability. It is designed for a minimum of 25 missions, marginally more than Falcon 9's 24-mission reuse rate.
However, SpaceX has a significant head start. With hundreds of successful Falcon 9 launches and a demonstrated reusability record, SpaceX has set the standard for cost-effective space exploration.
SpaceX's Starship, currently the world's most powerful launch vehicle at 403 feet tall, further expands the company's technological edge.
The next Starship test flight, today, will include a series of advanced maneuvers such as deploying Starlink satellite simulators and performing complex reentry experiments.
SpaceX will also attempt to catch its booster once again—a feat first achieved before the eyes of the world in October 2024. During Starship's last test flight in November, the maneuver was aborted.
Jan 16, 2025 at 03:05 PM EST
SpaceX’s test flight comes hours after Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket debut flight
...
SpaceX's test flight comes just hours after Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket had a successful liftoff of its New Glenn rocket.
The launch of the 320-foot New Glenn rocket had been beset by delays. It was originally delayed due to rough seas, which posed a risk to Blue Origin's plan to land the rocket's first-stage booster on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean.
It was rescheduled to launch early Monday, with a prototype satellite aboard, but it had to be postponed due to ice accumulating in a purge line for a unit powering some of the rocket's hydraulic systems.
The launch was further postponed because of poor weather forecast for Cape Canaveral on Tuesday and a SpaceX moon mission scheduled for Wednesday.
The New Glenn finally had a successful launch at around 1 a.m. ET this morning, from Florida.
The goal of the mission is to land New Glenn's first-stage booster on a floating platform in the Atlantic about 10 minutes after liftoff, while the rocket's second stage continues toward orbit.
Named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth in 1962, New Glenn has faced a challenging development process with multiple delays.
The rocket is five times taller than Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket, which flies paying customers to the edge of space from Texas.
Company founder Jeff Bezos, who established Blue Origin 25 years ago, participated in Monday's countdown from Mission Control, located at the rocket factory just outside NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Jan 16, 2025 at 02:56 PM EST
Today’s test flight comes after yesterday’s successful SpaceX launch of lunar landers
In a groundbreaking launch early on Wednesday, SpaceXsent two lunar landers on separate missions, marking a major step in the race to commercialize the Moon.
The liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center carried landers from Japanese company ispace and U.S.-based Firefly Aerospace, both aiming to establish a business footprint on Earth's lunar neighbor.
The two spacecraft shared a ride aboard a single Falcon 9 rocket, reducing costs, but diverged an hour into their journey, each on its own path for the months-long trek to the Moon.
The launch marks ispace's second attempt after its first lander crashed in 2022. The new mission carries a rover designed to collect lunar soil samples and test for potential water and food sources, which are both crucial for future lunar colonization.
Read in full from Shamim Chowdhury on Newsweek.
Jan 16, 2025 at 02:46 PM EST
What is NASA’s Artemis mission?
SpaceX's Starship has been selected by NASA as the lunar lander for the Artemis III mission, aiming to return humans to the moon.
The mission, which which aims to put the first woman on the lunar surface by 2024, was named Artemis after the ancient Greek goddess who was the daughter of Zeus and Leto.
Artemis III will launch no earlier than September 2026, according to NASA. The mission will last around 30 days and will take two astronauts near to the South Pole of the moon for approximately a week.
The mission is expected to use NASA's rocket, the Orion spacecraft with astronauts on board, and the Starship Human Landing System, which will get them to the surface, to ensure safe and accessible landings
It will follow on from the Artemis II mission, which is scheduled for launch no earlier than September 2025, a crewed mission to the moon's orbit.
Jan 16, 2025 at 02:43 PM EST
How to watch today’s SpaceX Starship launch
The seventh test flight of SpaceX's Starship will be livestreamed on Newsweek's live blog from 4 p.m. ET.
A livestream will be also be available directly from SpaceX's X account and website.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines